17 Free Things to Do in Nashville, Tennessee

1. Music City Circuit

You can ride this bus for free and enjoy the scenery downtown in Nashville.

2. Nashville’s Weekly Lawn Parties

Visit the Musicians Corner in Centennial Park for their lawn party. Available in the spring and fall at 3 to 6 p.m. You can also buy good food to eat while you enjoy the show.

4. Live on the Green Concert Series

Go out and enjoy your day with a free show. Each Thursday night of this six-week series features four performances, with the first beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the headliner wrapping up around 10:30 p.m. The series usually runs from early September to mid October at Public Square Park.

5. Music at the Frist

Enjoy free music at The Frist Center for the Visual Arts by university faculty and students from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday and Friday.

6. Bluegrass shows

Enjoy listening to bluegrass bands in June and July at the Ryman Auditorium Plaza. Starting at 6 p.m. The Ryman is located at 116-5th Ave. North.

7. National Folk Festival

This event is for three days since 1934. You will see music and dance performers, as well as interactive workshops, dancing, children’s activities, ethnic foods, parades, storytelling, craft exhibits and more. The festival is held in early September at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

8. Honky Tonk Highway

Visit Honky Tonk Hwy for free music and fun.

9. Free music at the Bluebird Cafe

Enjoy free music from songwriters weekly.

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10. Adventure Science Center

Only free for Tennessee teachers so bring your ID if you are one to get in free. The Science Center offers interactive traveling exhibits, special programs, and hands-on exhibits regarding natural, health and physical sciences.

11. The Parthenon in Centennial Park

This full-scale replica of the Athenan original also houses Nashville’s Art Museum, which requires an entrance fee, but it’s worth a visit just to see the building itself.

12. Tennessee Agricultural Museum

The Agricultural Museum has a vast historical collection with artifacts.

13. Nashville Garden Railway Society

Check out this 4,500-square-foot display at the Nashville Garden Railway Society, 100 Oaks Shopping Center, 719 Thompson Lane. The display is open from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. some Saturdays.

14. Tennessee State Capitol

This historical building is great just to walk and look at. The interior matches the exterior in elegance and refinement.

15. Tennessee State Museum

Tennessee State Museum has a collection that includes paintings, displays and quilts portraying the state’s history, with a focus on the Civil War. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

16. Military Museums

Visit the Military museum with textiles, culture, crafts and history. It also features the largest collection of Civil War artifacts from the western battlefields.

17. Fort Nashborough

Nashville was founded in 1780, when James Robertson led his band of pioneers across the frozen Cumberland River to The Cedar Bluffs. Fort Nashborough was built to shelter the first families. Take a self-guided tour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. any day of the week.